29. Chapter 29

Chapter 29

-Naomi-

T hanks to Thomas offering not just food, but also a helping hand, I was able to complete my task. Once everything was done, we brought the plates into the kitchen. We hadn’t spoken much after eating together or while working.

I knew he pondered my strange confession, but the truth was, I wanted Reese, even if he was as far from an Alpha as someone could be. I desired the man himself, not his title. Yet, I didn’t express this. I simply decided to pack up my things when I was suddenly intercepted by an older female wolf. I quickly realized who she was and bowed my head in submission.

“Luna,” I murmured.

“I don’t think that title befalls me anymore. Especially not with two women fighting over it,” she commented.

However, I continued to look at the ground as I had been taught, feeling her scrutinizing gaze upon me. I held my breath, waiting for some verbal reprimand, as she had to deem me unworthy of her son.

“Naomi, right?” she asked.

I nodded.

“I really want to have a chance to talk to you, but it is late now. Could I get you to come find me tomorrow when you have a break and then we can have a chat?” she inquired.

I was surprised she asked me and didn’t directly demand me to come find her and talk to her. However, I quickly nodded, not wanting to anger her. As I lifted my eyes slightly, I saw her smiling, appearing pleased, not as furious as I had expected.

“You seem like a sweet wolf,” she remarked. “However, I would love to have a chance to judge your character in a one-on-one meeting.”

I gulped, my heart pounding with apprehension at what she might think of me. I dreaded the thought of her finding me displeasing or in any way unpleasant. Yet, she continued to smile at me before turning on her heel and walking away. Despite her age, she remained a strikingly beautiful wolf. We wolves aged much slower than humans.

That was strange , my wolf remarked.

“I don’t think so. I believe she’s simply a mother concerned for her son and the situation he finds himself trapped in,” I murmured.

You don’t see our mother coming after Reese , she snapped.

“Our mother is broken by her grief. She doesn’t have the capacity for something like that.”

My wolf still didn’t appreciate how the older Luna had approached us, but I didn’t sense it was out of disturbance. She had made us nervous, and now she seemed to want to assess our character as well. It left me feeling rather apprehensive, and I trembled on my way home. However, upon entering the house, I noticed something peculiar. A pleasant scent filled the air, as if someone had decided to cook. Setting my things down and removing my jacket and shoes, I followed the scent to the most surprising sight I had ever encountered.

“Mom?” I questioned, bewildered, as I saw my mother turn, giving me a sweet smile from the kitchen where she was cooking her own dinner.

“Hey, welcome home,” she greeted.

I glanced behind me, half-expecting her to be addressing someone else, but there was no one else in the house but me.

“Um, what?” I asked, perplexed. My mother continued to smile, motioning for me to come closer.

I stared at her, baffled, but she persisted in gesturing for me to join her at the small kitchen table. Tentatively, I obeyed, and she began setting down the food. I wasn’t sure if it would be edible. When was the last time she had cooked for me? I wondered. Yet, my mother distracted me as she sat down herself, bringing food with her and starting to eat with a smile.

“Are you all right, Mom?” I questioned.

“Of course."

As she continued to smile, a nagging thought crossed my mind—had she been replaced by aliens?

“Are you certain?” I pressed.

“Why wouldn’t I be?” she countered.

“You just seem...”

“Yes?”

“You seem... different today,” I ventured.

“Well, of course,” she said matter-of-factly.

“What?”

“My daughter has found her mate. I must be presentable for him,” she explained, her tone filled with determination.

I blinked rapidly, unsure of what she was talking about. I didn’t even know if I was mates with Reese, and more importantly, why would she feel the need to be presentable?

“Mom, what are you talking about?” I questioned, my confusion growing.

“What do you mean?”

“You’ve been bedridden for years since Dad died,” I pointed out, the weight of reality crashing back in, dispelling the happy energy that had momentarily filled the room. But none of this made any sense. “How can you suddenly sit here and... and be this person?”

“I just...”

“You what? Mom, I don’t even know what’s happening to me!” I exclaimed, frustration seeping into my words as I grappled with the surreal situation unfolding before me. My mother hung her head, her expression filled with a mix of sadness and shame, and I couldn’t bear the sight of it.

“I...” I started, but the words caught in my throat.

The room grew still, enveloped in my mother’s obvious sadness, thick enough to choke on. Consumed by guilt, I averted my gaze, taking several deep breaths before mustering the courage to meet my mother’s eyes once more.

“Mom,” I called, reaching for her hand, and she slowly turned to me. “Thank you for the food.”

She offered me a small smile, gradually returning to the present moment.

“I’m just confused,” I whispered.

“Why? A bond is a beautiful thing.”

“Maybe for you it was, because it was simple, but I don’t even know if what I have is a bond or... a failure,” I admitted.

“A failure?” Her brow furrowed in confusion.

“I’m not his only mate,” I revealed, feeling a knot form in my stomach.

My mother leaned her head to the side, her expression a mix of concern and curiosity.

“It’s a long and complicated story,” I sighed, leaning back slightly, my appetite waning.

“Maybe invite him over?” she suggested.

“What?” I exclaimed.

“Invite him over.”

“Mom, he’s the Alpha. I can’t just invite him over to...” I trailed off, gesturing vaguely around the modest surroundings of our home.

My mother glanced around, seemingly oblivious to the same imperfections I noticed. When our eyes met, she persisted.

“Invite him,” she urged.

“It’s a nice thought, Mom, but I can’t,” I groaned.

Pushing up from my seat, I began to walk away, but I couldn’t help glancing back to see my mother watching me, a flicker of familiarity in her eyes.

“Thank you again for the food. It’s nice to see you up,” I said, attempting to offer some semblance of gratitude, noticing a genuine smile spread across her lips.